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The Essentials of Eldership

If you visit enough bookstores, boardrooms, and business conferences, you’ll quickly discover that there are about as many theories and philosophies of leadership as there are people who need leading. Scripture, however, provides clear, consistent teaching on how church elders in particular can lead God’s people with maturity, integrity, and responsibility. In this survey of the Bible’s instructions for elders, Alistair Begg shows us that leadership isn’t simply a matter of convenience or necessity—it’s inextricably interwoven with the purposes of God for His Church.

Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders

17Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.18And when they came to him, he said to them:

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia,19serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;20how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,21testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.22And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by3 the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there,23except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.24But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.25And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.26Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all,27for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.28Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,4 which he obtained with his own blood.529I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;30and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.31Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.32And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.33I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.34You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.35In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

36And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.37And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him,38being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

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Truth For Life is the teaching ministry of Alistair Begg committed to teaching the Bible with clarity and relevance so that unbelievers will be converted, believers will be established, and local churches will be strengthened.